Classical Terms

When dealing with "volume" of music, you may see or hear these terms:

1. pianissimo      - very soft
2. piano             - soft
3. mezzo piano    - medium soft
4. mezzo forte     - medium loud
5. forte               - loud
6. fortissimo       - very loud

When dealing with "tempo" of music, you may see or hear these terms:

1. Grave         - very slow
2. Adagio       - slow
3. Andante     - medium
4. Allegro       - fast

Whenever music rises in tempo, it is a Crescendo and when decreasing it is called a Decrescendo.